In fashion design, primarily in ready-to-wear lines, boyfriend is any style of women’s clothing that was modified from a corresponding men’s garment. Examples include boyfriend jackets, boyfriend jeans, and boyfriend blazers, which are often more unisex or looser in appearance and fit than most women’s jackets or trousers, though still designed for the female form.
The origin of boyfriend fashion is literally borrowing and wearing a boyfriend’s clothes—his distressed jeans, his band tees, his dress shirts, his blazers, his cardigan.

The trend expanded in 2009 when actress Katie Holmes was spotted in public wearing Tom Cruise’s slouchy jeans after a Broadway rehearsal; other celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Jessica Parker, and others began to follow the trend.

There are two main important ways to wear the look: making it oversized, and rolling up the sleeves. The boyfriend trend is all about wearing clothes that look a size too big for the wearer. It is recommended to only go up one size. By rolling up the sleeves, it makes the look more feminine and balances it out while implying that the sleeves would be too long for the wearer’s arms. The boyfriend blazer ranges in many different shades ranging from classic hues of black and gray to whites, pinks, and neons. They are very versatile because they can be worn with a cocktail dress, a skirt and blouse, or even leggings.

This look is my interpretation of the trend by dressing it up with heels and my vintage boyfriend blazer but you can also wear it casually by pairing it with pumps or sneakers and a tee. Making ita versatile staple in our wardrobe.

I found this gorgeous vintage sheer shirt from the 80’s at a market and fell inlove instantly I bought a few things and bargained the lady down to a reasonable price for everything(i mean who doesn’t love a discount?). I brought into 2013 by pairing it with these awesome high-waisted shorts at Zara. I wore these Lita’s to keep it young and edgy but this shirt can be paired with a tailored pants or skirt and a beautiful heel to keep it sleek.

Know Your History: Vintage Clothing Periods

Although there is some occasional crossover, connoisseurs generally group periods for vintage clothing as follows:

Pre-1901: This broad category includes everything from the high-waisted dresses of the early part of the 19th century to the bustle gowns and lace tea dresses of the Victorian era. If you like your vintage clothing from way back, look for items described as Renaissance, Regency, Romantic, Victorian, antique, or 1800s.

1901-1919: Designated primarily as Edwardian or WWI, this era reflected the influence of Eastern fashion and the designer Paul Poiret. Examples include embroidered Edwardian blouses and corsets, and garments made of linen and lace.

1920-1938: A time when fashion radically changed, these two decades transitioned from the extravagancies and excesses of the Roaring 20s (the flapper dress and cloche hat) to the more reserved clothing of the Depression era and 30s.

1939-1946: During World War II, fashion ran the gamut from chiffon dresses and fitted jackets to taffeta and lace eveningwear. Also popular: hats and the Hollywood high style of the 1940s. Track down items listed as WWII, 40s, and glamour.

1947-1964: Clothing style changed once again, as women took their fashion cues from Jackie O: one- and two-piece dresses and the boxy jacket and skirt suit. Knee-length pleated skirts eventually gave way to miniskirts, mini dresses, and hot pants. If youre a fan of this era, seek out clothing thats labeled new look, rockabilly, swing, 50s, early 60s, and 60s.

1965-1976: Natural/ethnic styles, bright colors, floral and psychedelic patterns, denim, and bell-bottoms were all the rage during this time frame. Look for clothing from Gunne Sax, or thats described as mod, boho, Renaissance, hippie, or disco.

1977-1989: This most recent period exhibits the punk rock and new wave influence-leather jackets and leather skirts, ripped jeans and T-shirts, and so on. If you like to walk on the wild side of fashion, look for items marked as punk, New Wave, or 80s.

Shop my look:

Shirt: Vintage buy at a market in Braamfontein
Shorts: Zara
Shoes: Cotton on